Origins of Traditional Chinese Kung Fu

Orgins of Kung Fu

Chinese Martial Arts, usually referred to Kung Fu or Martial arts is a well-known term to the whole world. Many people may know Kung Fu because of Bruce Lee, who is a famous Chinese martial arts movie star with extraordinary Kung Fu techniques.

Self-defense and hunting are considered as the primal reason for the occurring and development of Chinese Kung Fu. It is estimated that Chinese Kung Fu could be dated back to primeval society when people trying to fight against wild beasts for food and survival. In Shang and Zhou Dynasties, martial arts evolved to be a kind of dancing which was used to train soldiers for protecting the regime and govern.

During the feudal society, Kung Fu had been developed greatly and improved a lot according to the needs of the society. In Qin and Han Dynasties, the measure of kung fu, like wrestling, swordplay gained wide popularity all over China. Starting from the Tang Dynasty, the implementation of Kung Fu examinations had promoted the development of Kung Fu to a great extend. And next Kung Fu got a climax in development at Song and Yuan Dynasties when there were many civil kung fu organizations were founded for the purpose of professional practice and even some people took Kung Fu performance as a living method.

When it comes to Ming and Qing Dynasties, kung fu achieved another greater development as there were special kung fu societies and clubs to practice and pass down skills. At this very time, different genres and schools of kung fu had came into being which flourished the improvement and mature of kung fu a lot.

In modern society, with the foundation of Central National Martial Arts Society and Chinese Martial Arts Association, more and more martial arts competitions and contests held, kung fu has finally got a prosperous development and gradually known to the whole world.
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Traditional Kung Fu

Chinese kung fu is as much of the culture of China as tea. According to statistics, 100 different styles of Chinese boxing exist. Weaponry includes nine kinds of long weapons and nine short, such as knives, spears, swords, and clubs, which together constitute what is called the "Eighteen Types of Martial Arts." Each style of boxing and weapon-wielding of Chinese Kung Fu has its own special technique and movements.

In Chinese Kung Fu, a distinction is made between external and internal kung fu. In external kung fu, one exercises his tendons, bones, and skin while in internal Kung Fu one trains his spirit, his ch'i (flow of life energy), and his mind. The older one gets, the more adept one becomes at kung fu because one progresses from movement to stillness and from firmness to softness. In addition, the higher one's level of achievement in Kung Fu, the better one is at maintaining good health and living a long and active life.
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